Fire-extinguisher.



H. R. ROST. FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

APPLICQTION nuau ocTJ 28, 1915.

' Patented Dec. 4, 191?;

HOWARD R. ROST, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB, TO CONTINENTAL DISTRIBUTORS, INCORPORATED, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. t, 191?.

Application filed October 28, 1915. Serial No; 58,308.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that ll, HOWARD R. ROST, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Tm provement in Fire-Extinguishers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to fire extinguishers and has more particular reference to devices of this character provided for hand operation.

Prior to my invention hand fire extinguishers have been generally constructed of two kinds. lln one kind the fire extinguishing material is expelled by pressure generated by a gaseous, semi-gaseous or liquid fluid. The use of this character of device has resulted in considerable loss by reason of the fact that in some instances the expelling fluid has been found to have been of relatively short efiective life, and by reason also of the fact that in many instances the expelling fluid has been of highly destructive character and has frequently leaked out with great resulting damage to the person handling the extinguisher, and also to the burning object or building. The sec 0nd class of devices of this kind have incorporated in their construction a hand pump or similar mechanism, which has, of course, required continued and forceful manipulation by the operator. The trouble with this sort of device is that its operation is of necessity slower and less efficient than a device wherein the power needed for'its operation is stored in it ready for instant application.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a simple and efi'ective hand fire extinguisher wherein a plunger for ejecting the fire extinguishing material will be held under high pressure without the utilization of any ejecting fluid which may escape and damage the user or surrounding property.

A further object of-the invention is the provision of a fire extinguisher whichwhen loaded will possess high ejecting powers v mounted a nozzle 15 having a restricted outreadily releasable. A still further object of the inventio i the provisionof such a device which may be the provision of such a device which will possess no valves or other delicate parts tion, parts being so constructed and arranged as to present little or no danger of inadvertent or premature operation of said device. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description- When considered in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a fire extinguisher embodying my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front plan view of the hanger or bracket which is provided to support the same from a wall or the like;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section showing a part of the locking device;

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially on the line 5+5 of Fig. 1; and

Fig 5 is a detail section showing a mechanism for charging the extinguisher.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated on the drawing, A designates a casing in which is mounted a plunger B which divides the easing into two compartments, one, C, adapted for the containing of the fire extinguishing material and the other, D, in which is positioned means E for operating the plunger, said means being normally held against action by a locking device F.

The casing in the present instance comprises two cylindrical parts 11 and 12 connected together for communication by a threaded coupling 13. Thepart 11 is the larger and it is in this part that the plunger Bnmoves. The outer end of the part 11 is threadedly engaged with an end piece 14 of conical-form, in the apex of which is let 16. The plunger B in the embodiment of my invention shown on the drawing, serves both to eject fire extinguisher from the nozzle 15 and to charge the chamber C by drawing fire extinguishing material through the nozzle into the chamber. The plunger B is actuated by a pair of powerful tie springs 17 and 18 which hear at one end upon the rear face or part 19 of the plunger and at the other on the inner face of an end closure 21 for the casing part 12. the end closure 21 being in threaded engagement with the end of the cylindrical part 12. The springs 17 and 18 are arranged one within the other and are oppositely spiraled. A. plunger rod 22 is engaged at one end in the plunger and extends through the inner spring 18.

The plunger has a travel substantially equal to the length of the part 11 and it is normally held at the end of this part adjacent the part 12 by a locking device which will now be described. The plunger rod 22 is of length somewhat longer than the length of the part- 12, so that when the plunger is in retracted position. shown in Fig. 1, the plunger rod extends throughout the length of the part 12 and into an aperture 23 of boss 21 formed on the end closure 21 for the part 12. A portion of the plunger rod thus extending into this aperture is cut away on one side at 25 and in the recess thus formed extends a pivotally mounted locking member 26. This locking member is mounted in an aperture 27 extending at right angles to the aperture 23 and through the boss 21. The locking element 26 is cut away at one side at- 28 opposite theplunger rod '22 and the aperture 27 is arranged with respect to the aperture '23 so that the plunger rod and locking device inter-engage when the locking device is moved to present a cylindrical part of its surface to the plunger rod. The recesses 25 and QT in the plunger rod and locking member respectively. permit the plunger rod to be released when these recesses are placed in adjacent relation. The end 29 of the locking member 26 is bent to provide a finger piece to facilitate movement of the locking device into and out of lockin position. When in locked position this linger piece is adapted to be embraced by a link 31 pivoted in a boss 32 on the side of the end closure 21. When the parts are arranged in normal position the link 31 extends about the finger piece '2 and prevents inadvertent release by the locking device.

The extinguisher may be charged after the parts have been assembled by dipping the nozzle 15 in a suitable material and drawing the plunger up to retract the springs 17 and 18. This may be accom plished in a number of ways but I have shown on the drawing in Fig. 5 a simple mechanism for the purpose. This mechanism consists in a stall 33 threaded throughout its length and adapted for threaded engagement at 31 in a threaded aperture 35 in the end of the plunger rod. A. threaded hand nut or collar 36 may be turned down on the rod 33 into engagement with the outer end of the boss 21. Further turning of the hand nut will cause the stafi' 33 to pass out through the boss and draw with it the plunger rod, moving the plunger to retracted position. As the springs 17 and 18 are of considerable power. I find itdesirable to provide one or more hand grips 37 extending out from the sides of the collar or nut- 36. \Vhen the plunger rod has been pulled to the outmost limit of its movement, the locking member may be turned to the position shown on the drawings and the link 31 engaged over the finger piece '29. The staff and the collar may then be re moved. leaving the parts in their operative relations ready for instant use.

I preferably also provide a friction cap 38 to close the nozzle 15. and in order that this cap may not be lost I fasten it by a chain 39 to a washer 10 interposed between the end of the end closure 11 and the nozzle 15. If desired this cap may be more tightly held in place by positioning it just before the plunger rod is drawn to the extreme limit of its charging movement. This creates a artial vacuum within the extinguisher wiiich aids in holding the cap in place. This cap need not of necessitv be removed when it is desired to discharge the extinguisher. the pres ure of the springs being ample to force it from its seat.

\Yhile any form of plunger which will accomplish the desired results may be utilized, I have shown on the drawing a plunger composed of a forward metal member 11 and a rear metal member -12 embracing between them a washer 13 of leather or other suitable material. the edge 11 of this washer extending forward in contact with the inner face of the part 11.

On the drawing. G indicates a suitable support or hanger for this fire extinguisher and this hanger consists of aback plate -15 having at each end a ring 16 adapted to embrace the part 11. the internal diameters of these rings being substantially that of the part 11 and the rings being spaced apart a distance which will bring them in contact with the inner end of the end closure 1-1 and the adjacent end of the coupling 13. both of which parts are threaded onto the outside of the cylindrical part 11 of the extinguisher. The back plate 15 is provided with two inverted key-hole slots -17. the larger part: of which may pass over the heads -18 of suitablypositioned screws and the narrower parts thereafter pass down around the stems 49 of said screws to hold the bracket in place. 'hen it is desired to use the extinguisher. the extinguisher with its bracket is removed and the finger piece released and turned to release the plunger rod to permit discharge of the fire extinguishing material.

It will be manifestthat a large amount llt of power for the operation of the extin guisher may be stored within it and this vmetal and can therefore be constructed of relatively light weight.

The use of two springs is for the double purpose of providing sufficient power behind the plunger, z. e., in practice in the neighborhood of 300 pounds pressure at the beginning of discharge and about 200 pounds pressure at its end, and also providing for accurate guidance of the plunger rod during discharge and for the accurate guidance also of the rewind threaded rod 33. It will be understood that the inner spring has an internal chamber which when extended fits closely about the plunger rod.

A casing of the character described is of particular advantage in the use of the extinguisher as it adapts itself to ready and accurate aim. The large forward portion in which the material is contained can rest upon the palm of one hand of the user, and

the rear portion be grasped in the mannerof a handle and moved from side to side and up and down to accurately direct the stream into the base of the fire. I

lt i thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and

it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A fire extinguisher comprising in combination a casing, a plunger mounted to re ciprocate in said casing and defining a cham ber in front of it for fire extinguishing ma-' terial, a spring behind said plunger for actuating said plunger, and means insertible through the end of said casing behind said plunger for engaging said piston and cooperable with the end of said casing for returning said plunger to operative position after discharge.

2. A fire extinguisher comprising in combination a casing, a plunger mounted to reciprocate in said casing and defining a chamber in front of it for. fire extinguishing material, a spring behind said plunger for actuating said plunger, and means insertible through the end of-said casing behind said plunger for engaging said piston and cooperable with the end of said casing for returning said plunger to operativeposition after discharge, said means being guided into engagement with saidplunger by said spring.

3. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a casing, a plunger mounted to reciprocate in said casing and defining a chamber adapted to contain fire extinguishing material in front of it. a spring for operating said plunger and a staff insertible through the rear end of said casing and engageable with said plunger, an end of said staff being disposed without the casing when the plunger is at the end of its discharge movement and adapted to be moved longitudinally of the casing to return said plunger to normal position.

ll. A fire extinguisher comprising in combination a casing adapted to contain fire extinguishing material, a plunger for ejecting the same, and a pair of spiral springs bearing directly on the plunger and arranged one within the-other for operating said plunger the casing having a central opening at its rear end.

5. A fire extinguisher comprising in combination a casing adapted to contain fire extinguishing material, a plunger for ejecting the same, and a pair of spiral springs oppositely coiled bearing directly on the plunger and arranged one within the other for operating said plunger the casing having a vlce comprising a plunger rod "movable with said plunger and having a: recess in its side, and a rotatable locking element presenting an irregular portion to said plunger rod, one position of said locking element causing said portion to engage in said recess to hold said plunger rod against movement and another position causing release of said rod.

lwfi

lllltll 7. A fire extinguisher comprising in combination a casing adapted to contain fire eX- tinguishing material, a plunger for e ecting the same, powerful pressure means acting normally under stress upon said plunger, a locking device for holding said plunger against said pressure means, said locking device. comprising a plunger rod movable with said plunger and having a recess in its side, and a rotatable locking element presenting an irregular portion to said plunger rod, one position of said locking element causing said portion to engage in said recess to hold said plunger rod against movement and another position causing release of said rod, and a member for embracing said locking member to hold it in locked position. I

8. A fire extinguisher comprlsing a casing oflarge cylindrical diameter at its forard end and small cylindrical diameter at its rear end. a plunger mounted in the for ward end of said casing and defining in 5 front of it a fire extinguishing chamber of large capacity and spring pressure means acting upon said plunger and positioned in the rear portion of smaller diameter of said casing. said rear portion being of propor- 10 tioned diameter to be grasped by one hand of a user and said forward portion being adapted to rest upon his other hand.

In testimony whereof. I have hereunto s'et my hand in the presence of two subscribing witne& es.

HO\VARD R. ROST.

'itnesses JOHN P. Gnssox- ESTHER Animus. 

